Browning A-Bolt II Hunter, or Ruger M77 Hawkeye?

[jogar80]

Mine is removeable. I also have a thread protector I can screw on If I ever want to go without the brake. Most reputable gunsmiths can build and install their own brakes, or at the very least thread your barrel and order a brake from somewhere else. I had mine done by the local gunsmith, works like a charm.

 

[bearman49709]

Bobson, the X-bolt has more than just a adjustable trigger over the A-bolt.Better magazine,slimmer and trimmer,4screw's per scope base, and the most important to me-you can open the bolt with the safty on. Is all this worth more money to you? I had a blued woodstock A-bolt in .30-06, felt like a 2x4 to me, found a .30-06 X-bolt at my LGS in stainless with a dura-touch stock, I liked it so much better I had him order the same thing in .308Win. It cost me $860.00 befor tax two years ago and I'm still glad I went with it.

 

[Bobson]

Bobson, the X-bolt has more than just a adjustable trigger over the A-bolt. Better magazine, slimmer and trimmer, 4 screw's per scope base, and the most important to me-you can open the bolt with the safty on. Is all this worth more money to you?

All those features do sound nice. And I don't plan to buy more than one hunting rifle, so I suppose it may be worth spending a bit more money to ensure I'm happy with whatever I choose. I'll need to give it some thought, and handle some X-Bolts.

 

[Float Pilot]

One thing that some of us like about the Win Model 70s (and the Kimbers for that matter) is that the safety locks the firing pin when engaged.

On the M-70 the safety is located on the bolt Shroud like the original Mauser. It has three positions.
The first is fire,
The second position locks the firing pin in place but lets you cycle the bolt.
The third locks the bolt closed and holds the firing pin.

The Ruger M-77MKIIs (Hawkeyes) l have a safety that looks similar to the M-70 but it is not. In fact it is not part of the bolt. The Ruger safety only locks the firing pin in the third position when it locks the bolt. When it is in the second position it is only a trigger safety.

The Remington 700s, The Howa 1500s (Weatherby Vanguard is the same thing) use a trigger blocking safety.

Plus the Model 70 trigger is very simple and not prone to having any problems.

 

[stan rose]

Of the two you mentioned I would go with the Ruger, I've really enjoyed playing with the two my friends own. If it were my money though I'd go for the Winchester M70, or the CZ 550 American. The CZ 550 can be found for just under $700, and the M70 for just over.

 

[brnmuenchow]

Besides the fact that its made in Japan, its just poor quality

Not everything made in Japan is crap, IMO. I have handled recently a Winchester 94 made in Japan as well, and it was pretty good quality. So far even most of the reviews I have read on it also have been positive. Not to mention having spent many years in the music buisiness I have played on many budget minded and high $$ instruments made in Japan that were just as high quality as some Made in USA models. Yes, I admit I would prefer to buy American, as a matter of fact because Texas is my native home, I would prefer to buy Texan. I still wouldn't say all my guns that were made in Yugoslavia, Russia, Germany, etc.. etc.. were crap though, as a matter of fact ever since I fiddled around with the made in Japan Winchester, I have seriously considered getting one.

 

[jogar80]

Not everything made in Japan is crap, IMO.

I also prefer to buy american, ONLY because i'm american. Generally everything made in japan is of very high quality.

Now, made in China.... that's a whole different story

 

[jogar80]

Dont buy browning, its junk.

I can honestly say, you're the first person I've EVER seen say something like that.... and I disagree.

I'm not exactly a fan of browning, it's like any other good brand, to me. But I've never handled any product that had "Browning" stamped on it that was not of high quality

 

[brnmuenchow]

Now, made in China.... that's a whole different story

I agree with that, if their is anything I will at least try to avoid will be something made in China, which can be difficult at times.

 

[Craigman]

You will not regret getting a Browning and will probably keep it forever or a very long time. Either are rifles worthy of passing down a generation or more but the Browning seems to leave nothing to desire for me. (except a bolt lock safety) The Rugers shoot OK but seem "clunky" compared to an A-Bolt. Plus the bolt lift/throw and scope clearance is awesome on Brownings. I own both and love both but when I got to hunt I always reach for the A-bolt. Also, when Looking at them in a shop, do the "pull up to your shoulder for a quick shot" That is one of my top selling features on buying a new model. The X and A bolts pull up perfect for me. YMMV

 

[Float Pilot]

My Japanese made Browning Citori shotgun is very high quality.

 

[Cranky CJ]

I have an A bolt in 300 WSM and it is my go to gun. Very smooth short action and more accurate than I am. I voted A bolt but have never shot or owned an M77.

 

[bpl]

Do yourself a favor and check out the Winchester Model 70. I have an abolt and a M77 Hawkeye, as well as several winchester M70's. I'd go with the M70 Featherweight in 30-06 for my one rifle hunting rifle battery.

 

[rori]

Wow, don't know where you got that info, but you have a right to say it. On the other hand I find just the opposite to be true in that both my A bolt and X bolt are well made and shoot far better than any out of the box rifle I have ever tried and I've tried a bunch over the last 50 years. As far as made in Japan, have you looked at any of the Remington offers lately. Made in the USA and very poor quality control. Marlin, now part of the Remington group, had to shut down production due to all the bad rifles they were producing. I am a loyal American but will not accept trash produced by other Americans just because it is made in the USA. FRJ

 

[Fullboar1]

Another vote for the Tikka T3 Lite or if you can swing a little more money go for a Sako A7 or a Sako 85 Finnlight. In my experience (and thousands of others) the Tikka and Sako's will be more accurate, have a better trigger, nicer fit and finish and be more reliable then the other 2 mentioned (I have owned both a ruger M77 and an A Bolt as well as a number of other brand rifles and I now only buy Tikka's and Sako's). Seeing you want a dedicated hunting rifle to take into the field after years of owning wooden stocked/blued rifles I wouldn't buy anything but a Stainless Synthetic rifle to hunt with. IMHO its just to much of a headache to take a Wooden Blued rifle into the field and keep it looking good (but to me a hunting rifle is nothing more then a tool I use to do a job). If you do want it both the Tikka T3 and the Sako 85 can be had in wooden/blued versions (the A7 can't).

Here is a good Sako A7 review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGnoE41nxjk
http://www.berettaaustralia.com.au/sako/sako-a7/sako-a7-synthetic-stainless.html

Tikka T3
http://www.tikka.fi/t3models.php?litess
http://www.tikka.fi/pdf/specs/LiteStainless.pdf

Sako 85 Finnlight
http://www.sako.fi/sako85models.php?finnlight
http://www.sako.fi/pdf/specs/85Finnlight.pdf

 

[Fullboar1]

Marlin, now part of the Remington group, had to shut down production due to all the bad rifles they were producing.

I will agree Remington has had some really bad QC but Marlin didn't shut down production because it had QC issues, Marlin shut down because they moved Marlin from where they were made into the Remington factory.

 

[Bobson]

Any of you have experience with the Savage 114? I handled a 114 American Classic today and it seemed very well made, and very attractive to boot. I can pick one up for $600 OTD.